Search

Abstract Gray blight is a serious threat to the tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] production in major tea cultivating countries including India. The disease is caused by Pestalotiopsis-like species. In this study, five isolates of Pseudopestalotiopsis species isolated from symptomatic tea leaf samples in North Bengal, India were investigated. Based on the multi-locus phylogenetic analysis using concatenated sequences of three (ITS, tef-1 alpha, and tub-2) loci, cultural and micromorphological characters, and host association, the fungal isolates were identified as Pseudopestalotiopsis ampullacea F. Liu & L. Cai. The morphological analysis also revealed that the fungal isolates were evidently differentiated from other Pseudopestalotiopsis species. To date, P. ampullacea has not been reported on tea plants in India. Among the five isolates studied, isolate NKT0P03 was randomly selected for pathogenicity tests and its sensitivity to fungicides and microbial antagonists. In pathogenicity test, the isolate showed weak to high virulence reactions on 25 different tea cultivars. The pathogen showed an avirulent reaction on the cultivar TV11. In order to identify an effective management strategy against this new pathogen, synthetic fungicides and microbial biocontrol agents were evaluated in the laboratory. Results revealed that carbendazim + mancozeb, hexaconazole, propiconazole, and valextra were effective fungicides with an 85.1% to 89.8% range of inhibitory activity against P. ampullacea NKT0P03. Among microbial agents, Trichoderma harzianum, T. reesei, T. hamatum, Bacillus subtilis, and Microbacterium barkeri were efficient bioagents against P. ampullacea NKT0P03 with antagonistic activity ranging between 66.6% and 84.2%. Thus, these fungicides and microbial bioagents can be recommended as effective agents for the management of P. ampullacea causing tea gray blight after their field evaluations.

Background: Orthodontic treatment is often pursued to improve dental aesthetics and function, but its psychological effects on adult patients are not well-documented. Materials and Methods: This mixed-methods study involved 150 adult participants undergoing orthodontic treatment. Quantitative data were collected using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before treatment, mid-treatment, and posttreatment. Qualitative data were gathered through semistructured interviews with 30 participants, selected via purposive sampling, to explore their personal experiences and perceptions of the treatment process. Quantitative data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to assess changes over time, while thematic analysis was conducted on qualitative data to identify common themes. Results: Quantitative analysis revealed significant improvements in OHIP-14 scores (P < 0.001), indicating enhanced oral health-related quality of life posttreatment. Anxiety levels, as measured by STAI, decreased significantly from baseline to posttreatment (P < 0.01). Qualitative interviews highlighted themes of increased self-esteem, improved social interactions, and initial discomfort during the adaptation phase of treatment. Participants reported a heightened awareness of oral health and a positive shift in self-image. Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment in adults leads to significant psychological benefits, including reduced anxiety and improved quality of life.

Background: COVID-19 infection and pandemic-related stressors (e.g., socioeconomic challenges, isolation) resulted in significant concerns for the health of mothers and their newborns during the perinatal period. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to compare the health outcomes of pregnant mothers and their newborns one year prior to and one year into the pandemic period in Alberta, Canada. Secondary objectives included investigating: 1) predictors of admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and to compare NICU-admitted newborn health outcomes between the two time periods; 2) hospital utilization between the two time periods; and 3) the health outcomes of mothers and their newborns following infection with COVID-19. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study used a large administrative dataset (n = 32,107) obtained from provincial regional hospitals and homebirths in Alberta, Canada, from April 15, 2019, to April 14, 2021. Descriptive statistics characterized the samples. Chi-squares and two-sample t-tests statistically compared samples. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictor variables. Results: General characteristics, pregnancy and labor complications, and infant outcomes were similar for the two time periods. Preterm birth and low birthweight predicted NICU admission. During the pandemic, prevalence of hospital visits and rehospitalization after discharge decreased for all infants and hospital visits after discharge decreased for NICU-admitted neonates. The odds of hospital revisits and rehospitalization after discharge were higher among newborns with COVID-19 at birth. Conclusions: Most of the findings are contextualized on pandemic-related stressors (rather than COVID-19 infection) and are briefly compared with other countries. Hospitals in Alberta appeared to adapt well to COVID-19 since health conditions were comparable between the two time periods and COVID-19 infection among mothers or newborns resulted in few observable impacts. Further investigation is required to determine causal reasons for changes in hospital utilization during the pandemic and greater birthweight among pandemic-born infants.

Abstract Background This study evaluated the shelf life and effectiveness of Metarhizium anisopliae encapsulated in Na (sodium)-alginate matrix. Air-flow-dried and freeze-dried beads containing conidia of M. anisopliae produced in submersion in the liquid broth were fabricated and characterized. Shelf life and efficacy of fabricated beads against three species of the white grubs, namely Holotrichia serrata, Adoretus sp., and Lepidiota mansueta, were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Results The mean size of the wet beads ranged between 1.4 and 3.2 mm. The mean size of beads that were dried through freeze drying ranged between 0.55 and 2.3 mm. However, the mean size of beads dried through air flow ranged between 0.55 and 2.35 mm. Viability of M. anisopliae was more in freeze-dried beads stored at 8 °C compared to air-flow-dried beads with 20.0 × 107 and 16.00 × 107 CFU/g, respectively, after two weeks of drying. Further, freeze-dried beads supported M. anisopliae conidial viability till 10 months with 2.0 × 107 CFU/g. The LC50 values of the freeze-dried beads with M. anisopliae after 21 days of treatment were 0.35 (2.1 × 108 CFU/g), 0.31 (2.1 × 108 CFU/g), and 0.76 mg (2.1 × 108 CFU/g) against H. serrata, Adoretus sp., and L. mansueta, respectively. Conclusion The results of this study support the use of Na-alginate beads followed by freeze drying to maintain the viability of M. anisopliae. The effectiveness of freeze-dried beads with M. anisopliae against white grubs indicates that these beads can be an alternative option of synthetic insecticides against soil dwelling insect pests. In addition, this study offers a steppingstone for further advancement of sodium alginate encapsulated formulations for soil insect control.

The study of plant-microbiome interactions is critical for developing sustainable management practices and increasing agricultural production. The microbial communities of plants correspond to different plant environments that play important roles in plant growth and soil health. Currently, a significant amount of information is available on microorganisms and their beneficial roles within plant systems. There is an immediate need to put microbial innovations into practice because of the remarkable functional potential of the plant microbiota to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses in crop production. Plant-associated microbiomes also provide physiological benefits for host plants, such as growth stimulation, nutrient cycling, stress tolerance, and disease resistance. In addition to promoting plant growth, phytomicrobiome members also assist in scavenging antioxidants by enhancing host resistance and reducing stress conditions that adversely affect plants. Therefore, it is crucial to understand phytomicrobiomes and their potential attributes for crop health management. In this review, recent progress in the relationship between the microbiome and plants at the plant-microbe, plant-plant, and microbe-microbe levels, as well as their deployment in achieving the aim of sustainable agriculture, has been discussed, along with potential areas for future research. Based on literature reviews, it revealed that microbiomes associated with plants provide several benefits at the development stage, including growth stimulation, nutrient supply, and biotic and abiotic resistance. Thus, the use of phytomicrobiomes can assist farmers in developing sustainable and profitable crop production to meet growing global demand, while also minimizing the impact on ecosystems and stakeholders.

Aim and background: Jaundice is a clinical condition characterized by transient bilirubin conjugation deficiency resulting in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Hyperbilirubinemia is defined as a serum total bilirubin concentration greater than 95th centile for the hour of life. Approximately 60% of term and 80% of preterm infants are affected with hyperbilirubinemia, which may lead to complications such as brain neuron damage after several years. Early discharge of healthy-term newborns after delivery has become a common practice, which may be the cause for readmission during the early neonatal period. Universal follow-up within 1–2 days of early discharge, pre-discharge serum total bilirubin, transcutaneous bilirubin measurement, and universal clinical assessment of risk factors of developing jaundice are various strategies to predict significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. An association between cord blood bilirubin levels and subsequent risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia has been reported. However, the utility of cord blood bilirubin as a screening test to predict subsequent hyperbilirubinemia has been widely debated. We aimed to verify whether cord blood bilirubin at birth could be used as a predictor of significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy among full-term neonates. Materials and methods: Cord blood bilirubin was estimated in 110 neonates immediately after delivery. These neonates were followed up for the next 3 days and serum total bilirubin was estimated on the third day of life. Neonates with significant hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy were designated as cases and those without hyperbilirubinemia as controls. The association between cord blood bilirubin and serum total bilirubin was determined followed by the identification of the cut-off level of cord blood bilirubin that could predict significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy among term neonates. Results: Among 100 neonates followed up, 50 developed significant hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy. The mean ± SD of cord blood bilirubin was 2.66 ± 0.65 and serum total bilirubin estimated on day 3 of life was 16.16 ± 1.6 and the difference was statistically highly significant at a p-value of t-test. The cord blood bilirubin and day 3 serum bilirubin were positively correlated with an r-value of 0.087. The specificity and sensitivity with cord blood bilirubin of 2.5 mg/dL were 98 and 56%, and with day 3 bilirubin of 11.5 mg/dL was 72 and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: A cut-off of 2.5 mg/dL in cord blood bilirubin can be used to predict significant neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy among full-term neonates. Clinical significance: Umbilical cord blood bilirubin measurement is a simple, economical, and non-invasive method to predict subsequent neonatal hyperbilirubinemia which can aid clinicians in early discharge of normal neonates and selective follow-up of high-risk infants.

In the current scenario, the use of synthetic fertilizers is at its peak, which is an expensive affair, possesses harmful effects to the environment, negatively affecting soil fertility and beneficial soil microfauna as well as human health. Because of this, the demand for natural, chemical-free, and organic foods is increasing day by day. Therefore, in the present circumstances use of biofertilizers for plant growth-promotion and microbe-based biopesticides against biotic stresses are alternative options to reduce the risk of both synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and microbial biocontrol agents are ecologically safe and effective. Owning their beneficial properties on plant systems without harming the ecosystem, they are catching the widespread interest of researchers, agriculturists, and industrialists. In this context, the genus Stenotrophomonas is an emerging potential source of both biofertilizer and biopesticide. This genus is particularly known for producing osmoprotective substances which play a key role in cellular functions, i.e., DNA replication, DNA-protein interactions, and cellular metabolism to regulate the osmotic balance, and also acts as effective stabilizers of enzymes. Moreover, few species of this genus are disease causing agents in humans that is why; it has become an emerging field of research in the present scenario. In the past, many studies were conducted on exploring the different applications of Stenotrophomonas in various fields, however, further researches are required to explore the various functions of Stenotrophomonas in plant growth promotion and management of pests and diseases under diverse growth conditions and to demonstrate its interaction with plant and soil systems. The present review discusses various plant growth and biocontrol attributes of the genus Stenotrophomonas in various food crops along with knowledge gaps. Additionally, the potential risks and challenges associated with the use of Stenotrophomonas in agriculture systems have also been discussed along with a call for further research in this area.

Background: Cervical cancer is a public health problem in India due to weak national screening policy compounded by lack of resources including scarcity of trained personnel to carry out community-based screening program. Para medical professionals (PMPs) are closely related to women in local communities. Hence, training PMPs by incorporating novel technology and reduced time duration to achieve adequate competence in screening is an area underutilized and needs to be explored. Materials and methods: A pilot cross sectional analytical study was conducted at a tertiary referral cancer center using a shorter version of educational intervention of 2 weeks duration (EI2W) involving PMPs. Pre- and post-training assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) was done using questionnaires consisting of 5 domains viz. awareness of cervical cancer, awareness of cervical pre-cancer, practical screening methodology (practice oriented), data management and aspects of human papilloma virus (HPV). Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison and the degree of change was measured using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). A p value of

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi when they colonies the foodstuffs. These are potent toxins having severe health consequences in people, being mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic. In agricultural commodities, the contamination of mycotoxins is more prevalent. Several fungi can produce mycotoxins on agricultural products during harvest or in postharvest, and they have significant adverse effects on both animal and human beings. The most prevalent mycotoxins found in food commodities are aflatoxins and ochratoxins produced by Aspergillus species, ochratoxins and patulin produced by Penicillium, as well as fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone produced by Fusarium species. Worldwide, fumonisins, patulin, aflatoxins, and ochratoxins, among others, are responsible for numerous acute and chronic diseases in people and domestic animals. In food commodities, mycotoxins have been quantified and detected using various analytical methods. Besides, mycotoxins occurrence in food commodities were decontaminated through many potential approaches, such as physical, chemical, and biological methods. This review summarizes the findings of 30 years of research into mycotoxins in major commercial food crops including wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, peanut, oat, pulses, barley, oilseeds, rice, and fruits and fruit juices. We also discuss the detection methods of major mycotoxins, available decontamination strategies along with their disadvantages and knowledge gaps. It is anticipated that data from meticulous studies on mycotoxins in food commodities will help in the development of safer food and in setting priorities for future research.

Trichoderma spp. (Hypocreales) are used worldwide as a lucrative biocontrol agent. The interactions of Trichoderma spp. with host plants and pathogens at a molecular level are important in understanding the various mechanisms adopted by the fungus to attain a close relationship with their plant host through superior antifungal/antimicrobial activity. When working in synchrony, mycoparasitism, antibiosis, competition, and the induction of a systemic acquired resistance (SAR)-like response are considered key factors in deciding the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma. Sucrose-rich root exudates of the host plant attract Trichoderma. The soluble secretome of Trichoderma plays a significant role in attachment to and penetration and colonization of plant roots, as well as modulating the mycoparasitic and antibiosis activity of Trichoderma. This review aims to gather information on how Trichoderma interacts with host plants and its role as a biocontrol agent of soil-borne phytopathogens, and to give a comprehensive account of the diverse molecular aspects of this interaction.

Healthcare systems deal with disease prevention, early detection, diagnosis, investigation, and timely, affordable, and safe treatment. For the delivery of services in the health sector, communication is the key to linking the service provider and the patients. Mobile technology in the recent past has rendered various platforms of communications for the healthcare system. Thus, in health, mobile technology has greatly contributed to time management and cost reduction for healthcare at every level including hospital visits to individual appointments with doctors, hence the convenience. With advancements in mobile technologies and the growing number of mobile users, newer opportunities have opened up for the use of mobiles for patient care. Emerging information and communication technologies with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT) have been instrumental in integrating different domains of the health sector with mobile technology. Thus, the technology may have the potential to become powerful medical tools to support the health sector at all levels of care. In this review, the concept, applications, and advantages of mobile technology for health and the present pandemic have been discussed. It also discusses mobile health technology, as a support system for convenient and safer healthcare for public health, and the opportunities to improve its applications for unseen future health crises.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global emerging health issue, which is due to extra fat deposition in the liver that poses a serious risk of liver cirrhosis. Our study assessed the glycaemic status and NAFLD in health patients coming for a regular health check-ups. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was done on 192 healthy populations aged 30–70 years who underwent general health check-ups. History, clinical examination, heamtological and radiological workup were done and data were statistically evaluated. Results: The age of the study population was between 30 and 70 years with an average age of 50 years and the study sample size was 190. Prevalence of prediabetes was 35.93%, diabetes at 17.18% and euglycaemics were 45.83% in our study group. Among diabetics and prediabetics, 30% and 31% were having raised transaminase. Among euglycaemics, around 19% had raised transaminase. On ultrasound scans among the diabetic group, the prevalence of fatty liver was 57.6% whereas in the prediabetic group it was 46.4%. Among the normal euglycaemic group, 22.7% had fatty liver. Conclusion: NAFLD is multifactorial and associated with diabetes and can progress to cirrhosis of the liver if untreated. There is a need to have more focus on screening, awareness, nutritional counselling and treatment at the primary care level.

Rhizobacteria associated with cultivated crops are known to stimulate plant growth through various indirect or direct mechanisms. In recent years, the host list of plant growth promotion/promoting rhizobacteria has expanded to include bean, barley, cotton, maize, rice, vegetables, peanut, rice, wheat, and several plantation crops. However, interaction of rhizobacteria with tea plants of organic and conventional tea gardens is poorly understood. In the present study, rhizobacterial species associated with tea rhizosphere were isolated from 14 tea gardens located in North Bengal, India. In total, 16 rhizobacterial isolates isolated from collected soil samples were assessed for antagonistic and plant growth promotion/promoting activity under laboratory conditions. Molecular characterization based on sequencing of 16S rRNA gene revealed dominance of Bacillus with five species followed by Pseudomonas with two species. Interestingly, only one isolate was affiliated with actinobacteria, i.e., Microbacterium barkeri. Out of 16 isolates, isolates Bacillus subtilis OKAKP01, B. subtilis BNLG01, B. paramycoides BOK01, M. barkeri BPATH02, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BSEY01 showed highest growth inhibition against Fusarium solani (68.2 to 72.8%), Pseudopestalotiopsis theae (71.1 to 85.6%), and Exobasidium vexans (67.4 to 78.3%) causing respective Fusarium dieback, gray blight, and blister blight diseases in tea crop. Further, these five isolates also possessed significantly greater antifungal (siderophore producer, protease, chitinase, and cellulase activity) and plant growth promotion/promoting (indole-3-acetic acid production, ACC deaminase, ammonia, and phosphate solubilization) traits over other eleven rhizobacterial isolates. Therefore, these five isolates of rhizobacteria were chosen for their plant growth promotion/promoting activity on tea plants in nursery conditions. Results from nursery experiments revealed that these five rhizobacteria significantly improved growth rates of tea plants compared with the control. Therefore, this study suggests that these rhizobacteria could be used to formulate biopesticides and biofertilizers, which could be applied to sustainable tea cultivation to improve crop health and reduce disease attack.

The recent outbreak of the emerging pathogenic races of Fusarium wilt and early blight causing pathogens capable of infecting numerous commercial tomato varieties/cultivars highlights the need for robust disease resistance in crop plants. To breed plants with increased and robust disease resistance using quantitative disease resistance genes and resistance gene pyramids is being used to combat Fusarium wilt and early blight resistance, but broader acceptance of these methods is required to maintain resistance effectiveness. A greater understanding of the molecular basis of plant disease resistance at host levels offers further possibilities for Fusarium wilt and early blight resistance using omics approaches, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. These omics technologies are delivering us many candidate genes that might lead to increased disease resistance through genetic engineering. There are several strategies for manipulating these genes, which can come from plants, pathogens, or other organisms. However, truly durable tomato cultivars with Fusarium wilt and early blight resistance appear a doubtful prospect in the face of frequently evolving virulent populations of associated pathogens. This article discusses recent developments and future perspectives for improving tomato plants resistant to Fusarium wilt and early blight.

The guts of insect pests are typical habitats for microbial colonization and the presence of bacterial species inside the gut confers several potential advantages to the insects. These gut bacteria are located symbiotically inside the digestive tracts of insects and help in food digestion, phytotoxin breakdown, and pesticide detoxification. Different shapes and chemical assets of insect gastrointestinal tracts have a significant impact on the structure and makeup of the microbial population. The number of microbial communities inside the gastrointestinal system differs owing to the varying shape and chemical composition of digestive tracts. Due to their short generation times and rapid evolutionary rates, insect gut bacteria can develop numerous metabolic pathways and can adapt to diverse ecological niches. In addition, despite hindering insecticide management programs, they still have several biotechnological uses, including industrial, clinical, and environmental uses. This review discusses the prevalent bacterial species associated with insect guts, their mode of symbiotic interaction, their role in insecticide resistance, and various other biological significance, along with knowledge gaps and future perspectives. The practical consequences of the gut microbiome and its interaction with the insect host may lead to encountering the mechanisms behind the evolution of pesticide resistance in insects.

Beneficial fungi with antagonistic and entomopathogenic properties have shown promising effect in the biological control of diseases and pests in a variety of commercially significant crops, including tomato, in recent years. Despite the fact that such treatments are environmentally safe, their risk on non-target species in tomato fields remains unknown. Beneficial fungi that have been commercialised for field use have had little effects on the population of arthropod pests and the incidence of diseases in tomato fields due to various reasons. The use of fungal antagonists and entomopathogenic fungi-based products for the management of diseases and pests of tomato crop has been done all over the world. The investigated reports, however, are scattered throughout the research papers, so they need to be compiled and discussed. Therefore, efficiency of antagonistic and entomopathogenic fungi against important pests and pathogens of tomato crop, as well as their practical use as biofungicides and bioinsecticides to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides, are discussed in this review paper. Besides, plant growth promotion activity of beneficial fungi, their appropriateness as an alternative of synthetic pesticides, and future prospects are also discussed.

Biological control of plant pathogens has become increasingly possible with the use of fungi, which have a high reproductive rate (both sexually and asexually) and a short generation time and are very specific to their target. Trichoderma species are found in diverse habitats and experience various interactions with other organisms. They are used as bio-fungicides owing to their plant-protecting abilities, and they produce a large number of secondary metabolites (SMs) accompanied by enrichment in secondary metabolism-associated genes. This article aims to review and discuss the SMs produced by Trichoderma species, including their physiology, mode of action, mass production, and industrial and field applications for the control of plant diseases. We also discuss the evolutionary history, taxonomical gradient, classification, and ecology of Trichoderma species, as well as indirect and direct mechanisms used as plant protectors with gene improvement strategies. Aside from the bioactivity of SMs derived from Trichoderma species, compatibility with fungicides, mass formulation techniques, and industrial applications of Trichoderma species, the review focuses on its advent and progress as a global research pioneer.

Abstract Background Retro-transfers from level 3 to 2 NICUs in Alberta’s regionalization of neonatal care system are essential to ensure the proper utilization of level 3 NICUs for complex neonatal cases. Parents often experience distress that relates to the transfer of their neonates to another hospital. Limited information is available regarding parental perceptions of distress during transfers for neonates requiring care between NICUs in the current Canadian context. The objective of this study was to investigate: 1) what caused parents distress and could be changed about the transfer process and 2) the supports that were available to help ease parental distress during the transfer process. Methods Parents of singleton infants retro-transferred from level 3 to 2 NICUs in Calgary, Alberta between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017, were invited to participate in the study. Questionnaires were self-administered by one parent per family. A thematic deductive approach was employed by the researchers to analyze the qualitative data. Results Our response rate was 39.1% (n = 140). We found three themes for causes of parental distress and supports available to ease parental distress during the transfer, including communication between staff members and parents, details about the transfer process, and the care received throughout and shortly after the transfer process. Conclusion Parents should receive at least 24 h of notice, regular transfer updates, employ anticipatory preparation strategies, and foster more open communication between parents and health care professionals to help ensure parental satisfaction.

Food safety managers across agri-food supply chains face complex challenges in meeting regulatory requirements, managing consumer expectations, and dealing with a shortage of qualified professionals [...]

Abstract Background and Aim After liver transplant, pre‐existent porto‐systemic shunts (PSS) may persist, causing “portal steal,” leading to graft dysfunction, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and eventual rejection. In recipients of small‐for‐size transplant liver grafts, shunts may be created intraoperatively, facilitating diversion of portal flow to systemic circulation to avoid ill‐effects of portal overperfusion. These iatrogenic shunts may also subsequently lead to portal steal. We aim to evaluate safety and efficacy of endovascular techniques in management of portal steal due to PSSs in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. Methods Between 2013 and 2020, we encountered five LDLT recipients with large PSS, who presented with graft dysfunction and/or HE. One patient had a surgically created shunt and four had spontaneous shunts, not surgically ligated during transplant. Endovascular techniques including plug‐assisted or balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO/BRTO) or covered inferior vena cava (IVC) stent grafts were to occlude these PSS and counter the portal steal in all patients. Technical success and clinical outcomes at 1‐year‐follow‐up were assessed. Results Imaging showed large PSS causing portal steal syndrome in all five patients. IVC stent graft was used to isolate the shunt in two patients and PARTO/BARTO was performed in three patients. One patient had guarded prognosis due to multiple organ dysfunction and died 5 days after endovascular procedure. At 1‐year follow up, graft functions normalized in four patients with no recurrence of HE. No procedure‐related complications were seen. Conclusion Endovascular techniques can be safely and effectively used to counter portal steal syndrome in LDLT recipients, thus avoiding surgical re‐exploration in these patients.

Anthocyanins are high-value compounds, and their use as functional foods and their natural colorant have potential health benefits. Anthocyanins seem to possess antioxidant properties, which help prevent neuronal diseases and thereby exhibit anti-inflammatory, chemotherapeutic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective activities. They also show different therapeutic effects against various chronic diseases. Anthocyanins are present in high concentrations in onion. In recent years, although both conventional and improved methods have been used for extraction of anthocyanins, nowadays, improved methods are of great importance because of their higher yield and stability of anthocyanins. In this review, we compile anthocyanins and their derivatives found in onion and the factors affecting their stability. We also analyze different extraction techniques of anthocyanins. From this point of view, it is very important to be precisely aware of the impact that each parameter has on the stability and subsequently potentiate its bioavailability or beneficial health effects. We present up-to-date information on bioavailability, dietary effects, and health implications of anthocyanins such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancerous, antiobesity, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective activities.

Essential oils, extracts and chemical components from aromatic plants are widely used as flavors and fragrances by the food and cosmetics industries because they act highly effective against plant pathogens and pests. According to recent research studies, some botanicals derived from higher plants are efficient insecticides against particular pests, and fungicidal against necrotrophic and biotrophic plant pathogens, in addition to their use in food production. Towards substituting synthetic insecticides/fungicides with natural substitutes, which do not carry negative health effects, the essential oils, extracts and chemical components of Curcuma species have been examined against various plant pathogens and insect pests that harm food crops. The present review discusses the efficacy of essential oils, extracts and few main components derived from a wide range of Curcuma plants against a wide variety of pests and pathogens of food crops. In addition, their mechanism of action against insects and plant pathogens as well as their potential impact on crops (i.e. the allelopathic nature) are discussed. Finally, the commercialization of Curcuma-based pesticides is reviewed and challenges and knowledge gaps are highlighted.

Background: The management of several malignancies requires prolonged venous access and repeated injections. While totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) can help circumvent many difficulties related to repeated venous cannulation, these devices are associated with their own share of complications. Objectives: In this study, we report our experience with TIVADs, the complications associated with them and their salvage rate. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study of adult patients who underwent TIVAD insertion for cancer cytotoxic chemotherapy between January 2016 and December 2020 was conducted at Malabar Cancer Center, a tertiary cancer center in Kerala, India. The majority of the catheters were inserted using the modified Seldinger's technique into the right internal jugular vein under ultrasonographic guidance. Local anesthesia was used for pain relief during the procedure in the majority of patients. The number of catheter days, rate of complications associated with the use of TIVADs and their nature, and the salvage measures undertaken along with their outcomes were recorded. Results: A total of 37 catheters were inserted in 34 patients during the study period. The total number of catheter days was 8421, and the average number of catheter days was 227.6 days per patient. Postoperative complications developed after the insertion of 7 catheters (18.9%), the most common complication being infection. Three catheters (42.9%) could be salvaged after complications. Twenty-eight (87.5%) catheters were available for use till the end of the planned chemotherapy. Five patients are currently receiving chemotherapy and their catheters are in situ. Conclusion: TIVADs are convenient for long-term venous access in patients with cancer and provide safe and continuous venous access till the completion of chemotherapy.

A series of four copper(II) μ-Alkoxo-μ-carboxylato double bridged complexes, [{Cu2(L)}2][(μ–O2C–CO2] 1, [{Cu2(L)}2(μ–O2C–(CH2)CO2] 2, [{Cu2(L)}2(μ–O2C–CH2–CO2] 3 and [{Cu2(L)}2(μ–O2C–C6H4–CO2] 4 (H3L = 4-bromo-2-((E)-((3-(((E)-5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene) amino)-2-hydroxypropyl) imino) methyl)-6-methoxyphenol and μ-dicarboxylate ions = oxalate, malonate, succinate and terephthalate) have been synthesized and characterized using several physicochemical techniques. The tridentate nature of H3L is interpreted from IR spectra. The Epr spectra of these complexes are characteristic of the quintet state (S = 2) in central features and the triplet state (S = 1) of these tetranuclear complexes. The electrochemical potential of these complexes was investigated using CV (cyclic voltammetry) and DPV (differential pulse voltammetry). All complexes showed quasi reversible reduction peaks in the cathodic region. To explore the stability of these complexes, quantum chemical parameters like electronegativity, ionization potential, electron affinity, global hardness and softness, and electrophilicity were estimated and discussed. The synthesized complexes have been designed as structural and functional models of the catechol oxidase enzymes to investigate the catecholase activity. Additionally, superoxide dismutase activity data of all complexes have also been evaluated and compared with known SOD mimics.

In order to investigate the structure–activity relationship of complexes, three new copper(II) complexes with (Z)-N′-{(2-hydroxynapthalen-1-yl}methylene)acetohydrazide (HL), [(HL)Cu(µ-ClO4)Cu(L)(H2O)2] 1, [(HL)Cu(µ-SO4)Cu(HL)(H2O)2] 2 and [(HL)Cu(µ-bpm)Cu(HL)](ClO4)2·3H2O 3(where bmp = 2,2-Bipyrimidine) were synthesized.These synthesized complexes were characterized by Elemental analysis, FTIR, UV–vis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.The absorption bands obtained in the UV region (291–339 nm) are characteristic of the HL ligand. In these complexes, the LMCT bands were observed in the range of 403–410 nm and the d-d band at 670–709 nm. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows the development of supramolecular structures through varied non-covalent interactions viz., CH⋯π and π···π unit interactions. The careful Hirshfeld surface and 2D fingerprint plots yielded a comparative image of the mode of non-covalent interactions. The DFT calculations were carried out and also the results are in smart agreement with experimental results. X-band EPR spectral measurements are dispensed to demonstrate the magneticbehaviour of all complexes. The IC50values for SOD activity values for all complexes show that they are good models for antioxidant compounds. Molecular docking has been performed to predict the antibacterial properties of HL and binuclear complexes.

Soil salinity is one of the major abiotic constraints in agricultural ecosystems worldwide. High salinity levels have negative impacts on plant growth and yield, and affect soil physicochemical properties. Salinity also has adverse effects on the distribution and abundance of soil microorganisms. Salinity problems have previously been addressed in research, but most approaches, such as breeding for salt tolerant varieties and soil amelioration, are expensive and require years of efforts. Halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (HT-PGPR) secrete secondary metabolites, including osmoprotectants, exopolysaccharides, and volatile organic compounds. The importance of these compounds in promoting plant growth and reducing adverse effects under salinity stress has now been widely recognised. HT-PGPR are emerging as effective biological strategies for mitigating the harmful effects of high salinity; improving plant growth, development, and yield; and remediating degraded saline soils. This review describes the beneficial effects and growth-promoting mechanisms of various HT-PGPR, which are carried out by maintaining ion homeostasis, increasing nutrient availability, and the producing secondary metabolites, osmoprotectants, growth hormones, and volatile organic compounds. Exploring suitable HT-PGPR and applications in agriculture production systems can play a crucial role in reducing the adverse impacts of salinity stress and sustainable crop productivity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of micro-osteoperforation (MOP) over a 56-day period and to determine the influence of number of perforations on the rate of canine retraction. In addition, the amount of pain and discomfort caused by the MOP was evaluated. TRIAL DESIGN: A single-center, split-mouth, triple-blind, randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: 22 patients (18–30 years) who need fixed orthodontic treatment were recruited and randomly assigned to MOP1 and MOP2 groups. The recruited patients were divided into two groups with 1:1 allocation ratio. Randomization for the determination of experimental side and number of perforations was done using sealed envelopes. On each patient, the other side of mouth worked as control side with no MOPs. 4 months after first premolar extraction, patients in MOP1 received 3MOPs on the buccal surface of alveolar bone, whereas patients in MOP2 received three buccal and three palatal MOPs in the experimental side. The amount of canine retraction was measured every 28 days at two intervals on both sides of mouth. Pain perception was measured after 1 hr, 24 hr, 72 hr, 7 days, and 28 days of procedure. RESULTS: Result of the intra-examiner reliability using ICC is more than 0.97 (P < 0.001), indicating excellent repeatability and reliability of the measurements. The baseline characteristics between groups were similar (P > 0.05). A statistically significant difference in the rate of canine retraction on the MOP side was observed at the end of 56 days, amounting to two folds more than that of the control side. No significant difference was seen between MOP1 and MOP2 groups (P > 0.05). Mild-to-moderate pain was experienced only in first 72 hours of procedure. CONCLUSION: The study recommends that MOP procedure has substantial potential to be used as an adjunct to the routine mechanotherapy for accelerating tooth movement, as it may reduce treatment time by half in the first four weeks after the MOP procedure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registry of India (CTRI/2022/12/048181).

There is considerable interest in the application of quantum information science to advance computations in plasma physics. A particular point of curiosity is whether it is possible to take advantage of quantum computers to speed up numerical simulations relative to conventional computers. Many of the topics in fusion plasma physics are classical in nature. In order to implement them on quantum computers, it will require couching a classical problem in the language of quantum mechanics. Electromagnetic waves are routinely used in fusion experiments to heat a plasma or to generate currents in the plasma. The propagation of electromagnetic waves is described by Maxwell equations with an appropriate description of the plasma as a dielectric medium. Before advancing to the tensor dielectric of a magnetized plasma, this paper considers electromagnetic wave propagation in a one-dimensional inhomogeneous scalar dielectric. The classic theory of scattering of plane electromagnetic waves at a planar interface, separating two different dielectric media, leads to Fresnel equations for reflection and transmission coefficients. In contrast to plane waves, this paper is on the reflection and transmission of a spatially confined electromagnetic pulse. Following an analytical formulation for the scattering of a Gaussian pulse, it is deduced that the maximum transmission coefficient for a pulse is n2/n1 times that for a plane wave; the incident and transmitted pulses propagate in dielectric media with refractive indices n1 and n2, respectively. The analytical theory is complemented by numerical simulations using a quantum lattice algorithm for Maxwell equations. The algorithm, based on the Riemann–Silberstein–Weber representation of the electromagnetic fields and expressed in terms of qubits, is an interleaved sequence of entangling operators at each lattice site and unitary streaming operators, which transmit information from one site to an adjacent lattice site. Besides substantiating results from the theory for Gaussian pulses, numerical simulations show their validity for non-Gaussian pulses. Apart from their time-asymptotic forms, the simulations display an interplay between the incident, reflected, and transmitted pulses in the vicinity of the transition region between two dielectric media.

Background: Persistent elevation of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) despite normocalcemia have been documented in 8- 40% of patients after parathyroidectomy. We hereby report our experience from different centers across India to determine clinical significance of postoperatively elevated PTH levels and review relevant literature. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series study and reviewed all the patients who underwent surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) from April 2010 to January 2020. Results: Total of 201 patients was diagnosed as PHPT. Out of available follow-up data of 180 patients, a total of 54 patients (30%) had persistently elevated PTH (PePTH) at 1 month. Patients with PePTH were older with higher preoperative serum calcium, iPTH, alkaline phosphatase and lower serum phosphate and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels. Creatinine clearance was found to be significantly lower in patients with PePTH. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that preoperative 25-OH D3 concentration, creatinine clearance and iPTH are the factors influencing persistent elevation of PTH levels. Significantly lower serum calcium and higher alkaline phosphatase levels were observed in PePTH patients with preoperative 25-OH D3 levels

Abstract Aims We explore fathers' experience of caring for a late preterm infant including their stressors, needs and corresponding interventions proffered by public health nurses. Design Pilot mixed‐methods exploratory sequential design. Methods We collected (a) qualitative data from semi‐structured interviews (N = 5) and (b) quantitative data (N = 31) about fathers' levels of stress (Parenting Stress Index), anxiety (Speilberger State–Trait Anxiety) and depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) at 6–8 weeks after birth of their infant. Results Fathers appreciated their infant was born ‘early’, however, discovered through experience the demands of their infant, which appeared as stress (child and parent domains) and anxiety. Themes: hypervigilance in care explained the fathers' sense of competency and role restriction; infant fatigue and parental feeding elucidated the stressful aspect of father–infant interaction. Unscientific advice from healthcare providers was confusing and frustrating while uncertainty of rehospitalization caused worries, fears or stress. One father experienced depressive symptoms.

Magnetic anti-skyrmions—chiral spin textures that could find applications in spintronics—have been recently observed in inverse tetragonal Heusler Mn1.4Pt0.9Pd0.1Sn. Here, the authors observe anti-skyrmions in thin films of Mn1.4Pt0.9Pd0.1Sn over a wide range of temperature and magnetic fields.

Objectives: The main objective was to study the oncological outcomes of patients undergoing unplanned (uP) excision for soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) at a tertiary cancer institute. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients of STS from June 2009 to December 2015. Patients who had undergone uP surgery outside followed by definitive surgery were compared to those undergoing surgery at our center. The oncological outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier method. Results: A total of 51 patients were included: 22 (43.13%) in the P group and 29 in the uP group. At a median follow-up of 44 months, the estimated 5-year OS was higher in the uP group (92.4% vs. 60.6%, P = 0.032) compared to the planned group. However, there was no difference in DFS. Conclusions: Although survival of patients undergoing uP excision outside was better, this could be related to more favorable histology, grade, and smaller tumor size at presentation.

Abstract Background Public health nurses (PHNs) care for and support late preterm infants (LPIs) and their families when they go home from the hospital. PHNs require evidence-informed guidelines to ensure appropriate and consistent care. The objective of this research study is to capture the lived experience of PHNs caring for LPIs in the community as a first step to improving the quality of care for LPIs and support for their parents. Methods To meet our objectives we chose a descriptive phenomenology approach as a method of inquiry. We conducted semi-structured interviews with PHNs (n = 10) to understand PHN perceptions of caring for LPIs and challenges in meeting the needs of families within the community. Interpretative thematic analysis revealed PHN perceptions of caring for LPIs and challenges in meeting the needs of families within the community. Results Four themes emerged from the data. First, PHNs expressed challenges with meeting the physiological needs of LPIs and gave voice to the resulting strain this causes for parents. Second, nurses conveyed that parents require more anticipatory guidance about the special demands associated with feeding LPIs. Third, PHNs relayed that parents sometimes receive inconsistent advice from different providers. Lastly, PHNs acknowledged that due to lack of resources, families sometimes did not receive the full scope of evidence informed care required by fragile, immature infants. Conclusion The care of LPIs by PHNs would benefit from more research about the needs of these infants and their families. Efforts to improve quality of care should focus on: evidence-informed guidelines, consistent care pathways, coordination of follow up care and financial resources, to provide physical, emotional, informational support that families require once they leave the hospital. More research on meeting the challenges of caring for LPIs and their families would provide direction for the competencies PHNs require to improve the quality of care in the community.

This article contains the datasets related to the research article âThe long and short of commodity tails and their relationship to Asian equity marketsâ(Powell et al., 2017) [1]. The datasets contain the daily prices (and price movements) of 24 different commodities decomposed from the S&P GSCI index and the daily prices (and price movements) of three share market indices including World, Asia, and South East Asia for the period 2004â2015. Then, the dataset is divided into annual periods, showing the worst 5% of price movements for each year. The datasets are convenient to examine the tail risk of different commodities as measured by Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) as well as their changes over periods. The datasets can also be used to investigate the association between commodity markets and share markets.

Abstract Background The promotion and maintenance of breastfeeding with late preterm infants (LPIs) remain under examined topics of study. This dearth of research knowledge, especially for this population at-risk for various health complications, requires scientific investigation. In this study, we explore the experiences of mothers and the perceptions of public health nurses (PHNs) about breastfeeding late preterm infants in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Methods We used an exploratory mixed methods design with a convenience sample of 122 mothers to gather quantitative data about breastfeeding. We collected qualitative data by means of individual face-to-face interviews with 11 mothers and 10 public health nurses. Data were collected from April 2013 to June 2014. We then employed an interpretive thematic analysis to identify central themes and relationships across narratives. Results We collected 74 complete data sets about breastfeeding. During the first 6–8 weeks postpartum, 61 mothers breastfed their infants. Of these, 51 partially breastfed and 10 exclusively breastfed. For qualitative purposes, the researchers interviewed 11 mothers with late preterm babies and three themes emerged: significant difficulty with breastfeeding, failing to recognize the infant’s feeding distress and disorganized behavior, and the parental stress caused by the multiple feeding issues. The public health nurses’ comments reinforced and expanded on what the mothers reported. The themes for the nurses included: challenges with initiating breastfeeding, challenges during breastfeeding, and the need for stimulation during breastfeeding. Conclusion Mothers face challenges when breastfeeding their late preterm infants and public health nurses can guide them through this experience. Families with a late preterm infant need to be informed about the challenges associated with breastfeeding a late preterm infant. It is necessary for all health care professionals to receive proper training on safe and effective breastfeeding of late preterm infants. It is essential for public health nurses to communicate effectively with families of late preterm infants to provide anticipatory guidance about potential challenges and strategies to resolve any breastfeeding problems.

Highly conductive topological semimetals with exotic electronic structures offer fertile ground for the investigation of the electrical and thermal transport behavior of quasiparticles. Here, we find that the layer-structured Dirac semimetal PtSn4 exhibits a largely suppressed thermal conductivity under a magnetic field. At low temperatures, a dramatic decrease in the thermal conductivity of PtSn4 by more than two orders of magnitude is obtained at 9 T. Moreover, PtSn4 shows both strong longitudinal and transverse thermoelectric responses under a magnetic field. Large power factor and Nernst power factor of approximately 80–100 μW·cm-1·K-2 are obtained around 15 K in various magnetic fields. As a result, the thermoelectric figure of merit zT is strongly enhanced by more than 30 times, compared to that without a magnetic field. This work provides a paradigm for the decoupling of the electron and hole transport behavior of highly conductive topological semimetals and is helpful for developing topological semimetals for thermoelectric energy conversion.

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata] is an important food and cash legume crop in Asia. Development of short duration varieties has paved the way for the expansion of mungbean into other regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Mungbean productivity is constrained by biotic and abiotic factors. Bruchids, whitefly, thrips, stem fly, aphids, and pod borers are the major insect-pests. The major diseases of mungbean are yellow mosaic, anthracnose, powdery mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, halo blight, bacterial leaf spot, and tan spot. Key abiotic stresses affecting mungbean production are drought, waterlogging, salinity, and heat stress. Mungbean breeding has been critical in developing varieties with resistance to biotic and abiotic factors, but there are many constraints still to address that include the precise and accurate identification of resistance source(s) for some of the traits and the traits conferred by multi genes. Latest technologies in phenotyping, genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics could be of great help to understand insect/pathogen-plant, plant-environment interactions and the key components responsible for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This review discusses current biotic and abiotic constraints in mungbean production and the challenges in genetic improvement.